Illegal land excavation using excavators and trucks is blatantly occurring near the North-South Expressway, specifically in Tho Loc village, Dong Loi commune (Trieu Son, Thanh Hoa), causing public outrage. This activity is taking place right under an overpass and near the highway’s safety corridor, posing numerous dangers.
Scene of illegal land excavation.
Scene of illegal land excavation
Last weekend, numerous excavators and trucks were mobilized for illegal land excavation in this area. According to phóng viên’s (reporter’s) observation on the afternoon of December 21, 2024, an excavator was operating continuously, digging soil from areas of fields that had been cleared for the expressway project. Large and small trucks lined up to transport the soil away.
Excavator and trucks illegally mining land near the North-South Highway.
Excavator and trucks illegally mining land near the North-South Highway
Risk of Landslides and Encroachment on Safety Corridor
This illegal land excavation is not only removing excess construction soil but also digging deeper than the original rice fields. Worryingly, this activity is taking place directly beneath the highway overpass, encroaching close to the bridge abutments. Many excavation sites are also approaching the embankment and the protective fence system of the road corridor.
Illegal excavation activities happening right under a highway overpass, posing safety risks.
Illegal excavation activities happening right under a highway overpass, posing safety risks
Excavation Activities Take Place at Night
According to local residents, this illegal land excavation started on December 14, 2024. On the first day, excavators and trucks operated from morning until 11 PM, and on the second day, from morning until 4 AM the next morning before stopping. During the day, the perpetrators excavate in the rice field area and under the highway overpass, but at night, they move machinery into the roundabout area between the access road to the highway to dig soil. This is a circular land area hundreds of meters in diameter, intended to be planted with flowers and ornamental plants, located between the protection corridors of national projects.
Excavation sites dangerously close to the highway embankment.
Excavation sites dangerously close to the highway embankment
Excavated Soil Sold at High Prices
It is reported that the excavated soil is being transported and sold to residential areas in Nua town, about 5-7 km away, at agreed prices of hundreds of millions of Vietnamese Dong. Some smaller truckloads are sold to local households for creating ponds and raising garden levels. Local residents also expressed outrage as large trucks carrying soil are plowing and damaging the concrete surface of the Nhom River dyke road through Tho Loc village.
Trucks carrying illegally mined soil damaging the Nhơm River dyke road.
Trucks carrying illegally mined soil damaging the Nhơm River dyke road
Excavator continuing illegal land excavation in the late afternoon of December 21, 2024.
Excavator continuing illegal land excavation in the late afternoon of December 21, 2024
The illegal use of excavators and trucks to excavate land near the North-South Expressway not only causes economic damage but also poses risks of traffic unsafety and landslides. Timely measures are needed to stop this situation.
